Check a Car

MyPlateCheck

Check the car before you buy it.

Start with a free vehicle check, then go deeper only when you need to.

Run a Free Vehicle Check

Car history check comparison

Choose a car history check by the risks it actually covers.

The best vehicle history check is not automatically the one with the longest feature list. Compare the checks that matter for the purchase you are making, the clarity of the report and whether expensive risks such as finance or salvage are included.

UK registration lookupMOT & tax contextBuyer-focused reports

Start with the checks that can change the purchase

MOT and tax are useful starting points, but a serious used-car decision may also need stolen vehicle, write-off, keeper, plate, finance and salvage information. Compare report contents rather than relying on a headline label such as full history check.

Check what is included at each price

Some services bundle deeper checks into one price while others separate them into tiers. MyPlateCheck uses Free, Buyer and Ultimate so you can start with public vehicle facts and only pay for deeper data when you need it.

Clarity matters as much as data volume

A useful report should make significant risks easy to identify and explain what deserves further investigation. More rows of raw data are not necessarily more useful if the buyer cannot tell what matters.

How to use this information

MyPlateCheck combines available vehicle data into buyer-focused checks. Data can contain omissions or recording errors, so use it alongside the V5C and VIN, service history, seller evidence and a physical inspection. Resolve material inconsistencies before paying for a vehicle.

Compare report coverage

Free, Buyer and Ultimate side by side.

Compare the checks that are actually included rather than choosing from a headline alone. Start with free public vehicle facts, use Buyer for the core paid history checks, and use Ultimate when you also need finance and auction or salvage information.

CheckFreeBuyerUltimate
MOT, tax and core vehicle detailsIncludedIncludedIncluded
MOT and recorded mileage historyIncludedIncludedIncluded
Stolen and insurance write-off checks—IncludedIncluded
Keeper, plate and V5C history—IncludedIncluded
Outstanding finance——Included
Auction and salvage history——Included

Use the comparison to match the report to the purchase.

A free check is useful for confirming public facts before you spend anything. Buyer adds the paid history checks that can reveal theft, write-off and ownership-related context. Ultimate adds the finance and salvage information that is not included in Buyer.

Report data should still be checked against the V5C, VIN, service history, seller evidence and the physical vehicle. See current report pricing and bundle options.

Questions buyers ask

Useful answers before you check.

What should a good car history check include?+

For a serious purchase, look for vehicle identity, MOT and mileage context plus appropriate theft, write-off, keeper, plate and finance checks. Salvage evidence can add further context where available.

Is the cheapest vehicle check always best?+

No. Compare what information is actually included and whether it matches the risks you want to investigate.

Can I start with a free check?+

Yes. MyPlateCheck lets you review useful free vehicle facts first before choosing Buyer or Ultimate.

Start with the registration

Check the vehicle before you commit.

Run the free vehicle check first, then choose deeper history checks if the purchase needs them.